FBI Investigates Potential Terrorism Link in Austin Mass Shooting

The FBI has indicated it may have found evidence suggesting a potential terrorist connection related to a mass shooting at a well-known Austin nightclub. During a news conference early Saturday, Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Alex Dolan from the San Antonio office shared that items were recovered from both the shooter and his vehicle.

The incident, which occurred early Sunday morning at a popular bar on Sixth Avenue, resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to 14 others, as reported by local news. Officers arrived at the scene within a minute of the first emergency call and shot the gunman.

Dolan mentioned that the FBI is collaborating with the Austin Police Department, utilizing an evidence response team and digital forensics experts to collect and analyze evidence from the site. On the matter of the potential terrorist link, he stated, “While it is still too early to determine the exact motive, there were indications of a possible connection to terrorism related to the objects found and the vehicle.”

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis provided context for the shooting, revealing that the unidentified suspect drove an SUV to a backyard beer garden and opened fire with a pistol. She described how the shooter targeted patrons both on the patio and near the bar.

Footage shared on social media depicted a chaotic aftermath, with many attempting CPR on the injured victims.

Davis noted that after the suspect left, he continued on Sixth Avenue until he encountered a police officer, who engaged him, resulting in the suspect’s death in less than a minute.

Travis County EMS Chief Robert Lucritz confirmed during a later news conference that three people, including the shooter, died at or near the scene. Emergency crews treated 17 injured individuals, with 14 transported to local hospitals. Of those, three are reported to be in critical condition, although no updates have been provided on their status.

Investigators are delving into the shooting that took place just before 2 a.m. at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a venue particularly popular among tourists near the University of Texas campus. At the conference, Davis did not go into detail regarding the types or amounts of evidence suggesting a terrorism connection.